Tool and tool retainer



Jan. 30, 1923. I 1,443,461. J. S. DONALDSON.

TOOL AND TOOL RETAINER.

FILED MAY l. 1920. 2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

A. s. DONALYDSQNI TOOL AND TOOL RETAINER.

HLED MAY 1. 1920.

Z SHEETSSHEET 2.

Patented Jan. 3'3, 1923.

uivrrsos'rarss JOE-IN S. DONALIDSON, OF NEW YORK, N.

TGOL AND TOOL RETAINER.

Application filed May 1, 1920. Serial No. 378,339.

To all w/iomit-mcy concern. 3e it known that I, JoHN S. .Donannson,

a citizen of the United-States, residing at New York city, in the county of Queens and State of Newli'orlr, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tools and Tool Retainers, fully described and represented in the following specification and the.

a part of accompanying: drawings, forming the same. j I

This invention relates to improvements in tools and. tool retainers and hast'or an object toprovide a tool retainer in which a tool is securely held and from which it may easily be withdrawn when desired.

In accordance with the invention the tool retainer'is provided with two tool engaging means. One ot these engaging means is so mounted in the tool retainer tha,

it cannot be rotated with respect to the tool retainer, and is adapted to hold the tool in the retainer but to permit the tool to be withdrawn from the retainer when turned in one direction. The other engaging means fits upon the tool in such a way as to prevent the turning of the tool with respect to it. This engaging means is rotatably mounted in the retainer, but provided with releasable locking; means to prevent its rotation with respect to the retainer.

The invention possesses peculiar advanwhen used inconnection with pneumatic chisels. Bythis term I include any device in which a tool is given a vibratory motion by means of compressed gas, ,whether the device provided with a tool in a conventional chisel form or with any other form of cutting tool, or with a ham mering tool for heading rivets or other purposes. j

The pneumatic chisels which have been commonly used for stone cutting and other purposes consist of a handle containing a hammer which is i reciprocated by compressed air or other supplied to the handle. The outer end of the handle is customarily provided with a round central hole through which the round end of the shank of the tool is inserted. In using this device the workman grasps the handle with one hand and with the other holds the. shank of the tool. Hcmust hold the shank firmly in order properly to direct the cutting edge ol the tool and to prevent the tool from turning in the round hole in which the upper end of its shank is insertedfHe must also continuously pull the tool into the handle so as to bring its upper end incontact with the reciprocating hammer. He is thus required continuously to take a firm. grip upon the tool whichis oscillating under the blows of the hammer. Using the device in this manner causes a constant vibration or one hand and arm of the. worlnnen which has been found to result in serious injury to the workman, being frequently the cause of palsy.

' My tool retainer when applied to a pneumatic chisel comprises casing" attached to the handle to guide the tool, and resilient means to throw the tool inwardly against the hammer in order that it may be constantly subjected to the hammer-blows. The vorkman guides the tool by placing one hand upon the handle as before and the other upon theffixed tool-guide attached to. the handle. Both his hands are thusupon comparatively stationary parts of the de vice. Furthermore, the grip required is just! suflicient to guide the tool, not the tinn -grip formerly necessary to pull the tool back against the hammer. The workmans hands and arms therefore, are not Subject to undue vibration. The tool may in consequence be used for long periods without any resultant injury to the workman.

In order that my invention may clearly be understooch I'will describe in detailthe embodiment of it shown in theaccompanying drawings, in which i Fig. 1 is a side view of aconrpiete pneumatic chisel provided with my improvement, showing the cover plate removed;

Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section of. the portion of thedevice incorporating; my improvements;

Fig. 3 is a transverse section takenon the line 3+3 of Fig. 2 in the direction of the arrows;

lined- 1: of Fig. 2 in the direitiou oflihc arrows: j 'i Fig. is a side View of a tool usedin my device.

with the customary central opening to admit the round end of the shank oi the tool, and

a transverse section taken on the as is usual, in this opening is fixed a sleeve 13 provided with a collar portion 13 to limit the inward movement of the tool. The external surface of the outer end 12 of the handle is made cylindrical and part or all of it is provided with external screw threads 14.

The tool retainer, comprising the sleeve and the parts next described, is attached to the handle 10 by screwing the sleeve upon the screw threads 14. A set screw 16 prevents the sleeve 15 from unscrewing from the handle under the vibration caused by the hammer blows. It should be understood,chowevelg that the particular means illustrated for securing the sleeve15 to the handle 10 are not essential to the invention as the sleeve may be attached to the hammer in any desired mannerf A rotatably mounted tool engaging means is located at or near the outer end of the sleeve 15 and may consist of a cap 16 which in the form illustrated is adapted to be screwed into the sleeve 15 and which has a central opening 17 of a shape to lit the outer portion of the shank of the tool. in the drawings, this portion of the shank and the "opening are shown hexagonal in form (Fig.

4), as this is a form in which the tool shanks are commonly made. The outer portion of the shank and the opening 17 may, however, be made square, or of any other shape, ex cept circular.

The retainer is provided with non-rotary engaging means to hold the tool in the retainer in position to be subjugated to blows of the hammer, which, in the form. illustrated, comprises a plunger 20 within the sleeve 15 and consisting of an elongated bearing sleeve 21 and a disc-shaped portion 22. The portion 22 is provided with an elongated aperture 23. A screw 21-. is screwed into the plunger 20 and has a square head which projects into a groove 25 in the sleeve 15 and thus prevents the plunger 20 from turning within the sleeve. The groove 25 may be cut clear through the sleeve 15 so as to form a slot as shown in the drawing, but this is not essential. At the upper end of the groove 25 is provided with a circular hole 26 of diameter suliicient to permit the screw 24 to be screwed into the plunger 20 through inserted in it after the plunger has been the sleeve 15 and before the sleeve 15 is screwed on the outer end. 1120f the handle 10. After the sleeve 15 is screwed on, the outer end 10 of the handle prevents the plunger 20 from moving inwardly far enough to bring the head oi the screw 24 into the hole 26. T he screw it is thus prevented from unscrewing undcrthe vibration of the tool by the engagement of its square head with the walls of the gi;'oo .'e 25. The groove 25, if out through the seeve 15 as shown, may be provided with a cover plate 27attached to the sleeve 15 by screws 28. Between the cap 16 and the plunger 20 is a compression spring 30 which is held in place by having its lower end bent and inserted in a groove 31 and hole 32 in the cap 16.

1n the cap 16 is a spring catch consisting of a plunger 33 urged inward by a compression springiist and provided with a stem 35 on which is screwed a button 36 to permit the drawing of the plunger outwardly. The outer edge at the sleeve 15 is provided with a hole 37 having its bottom inclined upwardly in one-direction, so that the plunger 33 catches inthe hole 37 when the cap 16 is screwed outwardly from the sleeve'15, but slides out 01' the hole 37 when the cap 16 is screwed inwardly. In the lower edge of the sleeve 15 there is another hole 38 similar to the hole 3? andspaced at 90 from that hole. I I

The tool 4-0 has a cutting or hammering portion 11, and a shank. The portion 41, shown as chisel shaped, may be made toothed, or pointed, or of any other shape used for cutting stone or metal, or it may he made cup-shaped for heading rivets, or in any other desired form. The outer portion 42 of the shank is non-circular in crosssection (being shown as hexagonal). The inner portion 1-3 of the shank is cylindrical. 0n the cylindrical portion 13 are two shoulders 4 1. The extreme width across the shoulders is not greater than the width'of the lower portion 42. Each of the shoulders 1 1 is provided at one of its outer edges with an inclined cam surface -15.

l Vhen the parts of the device are in the position shown in Fig. 2, the outer surface of the shoulders 14.- are engaged by the inner surface of the disc portion 22 oi? the plunger 20 so that the tool is urged inwardly by the pressure of the spring 30 against the plunger 20. The spring 30 is ot' just suiticicnt strength to return the tool to the position shown in Fig. 2 in which the upper end of its shaft abuts against the collar 13 after each outward blow of the hammer, but the spring is not strong enough to materially retard thetool when driven outwardly by a blow oi the hammer.

in using the device the workman places one hand upoi'i the handle 10 and the other upon the sleeve He is thus enabled to guide the tool without gras 'iing an oscillatin; part of the device' Owing to the lit of the non-circular portion of the shank in the aperture the worlunan may determine angular position of the cutting edge of die the tool by simply turning the handle and sleeve. The spring 30 serves to draw the tool inwardly after each hammer blow, so that the upper end of the shanlris in position to be struck by the next outward blow of the hammer; The workman is, therefore,

not required to take any grip upon the oscillating tool. a Then it desired to remove the tool from the device for-the purpose of substitutinga new tool. or for any other purpose, ltlS- merely'necessary to pull out the button 36 so as to release the plunger from the hole 31' and unscrew the cap 16 from the sleeve a quarter of a turn until the plunger 33 enters into the hole 38. the cap'lii turns with the tool 40, the cap 16 may be unscrewed-by grasping the handle 10 'or the sleeve v in one hand andthe tool -40 with the other hand. 'When the cap 16 has been turned 90 so'that the plunger is seated in the. liole 38, the, shoulders i l of the tool a0 are in linewith the elongated aperture 23 inaticmeans.

mg and associated I parts of the tool guide shown In the'drawlngs is that which I have of the new tool is substituted.

in the plunger 20 so that the tool nay be withdrawn.

' lit the new tool to be inserted is "provided with a shank having its lower portion 3 square in cross-section, or of other shape difshould be noted that'when there is no tool in the device the spring 30 will force the plunger 20 against-the outer end 12 of the handle 10. After the tool has been inserted, the tooland the cap 16 are turned through an arc of 90? until the plunger 33 catches in the hole 37. In this movement of the tool the cam surfaces 45 of the shoulders 44: engage the inner surface of the disc portion 7 22 of theplunger 20 at the sides of the open ing 23 and force the plunger 20 outaway from the outer end 12 of the handle 10.

The pressure of the spring '30 is thus applied through the disc portion 22 ofthe plunger 20 to the shoulders 44 of the tool and serves to urge the tool upwardlyin position to be struck by the blows of the hammer 11. a

hilan v' modifications may be made in the device described without departing from my invention. It is apparent that the means usedfor giving the reciprocating'motion to the hammer 11 do not forma part-of my'ini'ention, and that the invention may be applied to devices in which the movement'of the hammer is'caused bypther than pneu- While the form of "the casfound'rnost satisfactory, it will be apparent to skilled mechanics thatniany of theme The shoulders 44 of the new 'tool,

chanical details described may be modi'fied without materially affecting the operation of the device.

What is claimedis: I 1. In combination with a handle containing a reciprocatinghammer, a tool having a shank, the outer portion ofwhich is non- ,tion vof which is of less diameter than the outer portion, a shoulder projecting from one side of the inner portion of the I shank, a sleeve surrounding the shank of the .tool andat'tachedto the handle, a plunger 'in said sleeve having anaperture through i which said shoulder may passwhen turned in one position, means for preventing the rotation of said plunger relatively to said sleeve, and a cap rotatably mounted on said,

sleeve and containing an aperture fitting the non-circular portion of the shank "of the tool,'whe-reby turning of the tool and cap relatively to the sleeve brings saidshoulder meat with theaperture in said plunger.

2. In combination with a' handle containtion of which is of less diameter than said outer portion, a shoulder upon the inner portion of the shan'kya sleeve surrounding the shank of the tool and attached to the circrilar in cross-section and the inner porupon the tool shank into and out of alignu r n a i ing a reciprocating hammer, a tool hav ng a shank, the outer portion of'which is'nons circular in cross-section and the inner porhandle, a plunger in saidsleeve having an aperture through which said shoulder may pass when turned in one posltion, means for preventing the rotation of said plunger relatively to said sleeve, 2, cap 'rotatably mounted on said sleeve and containing an aperture fitting the non-circular portion'of the'shank of the tool, whereby rotation of the tool and cap relatively to said sleeve brings said shoulder upon the tool shank into and out ofalignment with the aperture in-said plunger, and releasable means arranged 'tolock the cap to the sleeve when said shoulder is in a position in which it is not in alignment with said aperture.

- 3. In'combina'tion with a handle containinga reciprocating hammer, abtool having a shank, the outer portionof which is noncircular in cross-section and the Inner portion of which is of less diameter than the outer portion, a shoulder projectingirom one side of the inner portion of the shank, a'slee've 'surroundingthe'shank of the tool in one position, means for preventing the "rotation or-said plunger relatively to'ksaid sleeve, anda'ca-p screwed to theouter end o i' said sleeve and "containing'an 'ap'eture and attachedto the handle, a plunger in a said sleeve "having an aperture through which 1 said shoulder may pass when turned fitting 'the -non-eircularportion of the shank H ofthe -toolfwhereby-turningof the tooland ea p relaitivelyto thesleevebrings saids'hoiih der upon the tool shank and out alignment with theaperture in said plunger.

' tln combination with a handle containing a reciprocating hammer, a tool having a shank, the outer portion of which is non-v circular in cross-section andthe inner portion of which is of less diameter than said outer' portion, a shoulderupon the inner portionof the shank, a sleeve surrounding the shank of the tool and, attached to the handle, a plunger in saidsleeve having an aperture through which said shoulder may pass whei'i turned in one positiommeans tor preventingthe rotation of said plunger relatively to said sleeve, acap screwed to the outer end of said sleeve and containing an ,aperture fitting, the non-circular portion of the shank of the tool, whereby rotation oi the tool and cap brings said shoulder upon the tool shank into and out of alignment with the aperture in said plunger, and means for locking thecap to the sleeve comprising engaging meansupon one of-said members and. spaced engaging means upon the other of said members so arranged that when firstmentioned engaging meansis in engagement with one otsaid second-mentionedengaging means the :shoulder upon the tool shank is in alignment with the aperture in the plunger and whensaid first-mentioned engaging means is in engagement with the other of saidsecond-mentioned engaging means the -,shoulder, uponthetool shank is out of align- :nient with said; aperture.

ing a reciprocating hammer, a sleeve ati 5. In combination with a handle contain ing a reciprocating hammer and having a central aperture for the insertlon of the shank of a tool, a sleeve attached to said handle and surroundingsald aperture, a plunger in said sleeve CO11l3 3t1Il11lg"a11 elongated aperture, means for preventing said plunger from turning relatively to said sleeve, resilient means. tending to urge said plunger toward sald handle, a tool havinga shank adapted to fit the; aperture in said handle a shoulder ro'ectin rfrom one :sllQ "position in which-said shoulder registers with sald aperture, and releasable e'ngage-,

ing means separate from said plunger for preventing said shank from turni-ng relatively to said sleeve.

6. In comblnationwith ahandle containtaehed to the handle, a plunger in said sleeve containing anelongated aperture, means for preventing said plunger from-turning relatively to said sleeve, acap screwed to the.

. engagement outer end of said sleeve and containing a non-circular aperture, a tool having a shank, the, outer portion of'which'is noncircular in cross-section and fits the aperture in said ca and the inner portion of which is of less diameter than the outer portion and an eccentric shoulder upon the inner portion of said shank adapted to pass through the aperture in said plunger when the tool is turned in one direction and having a cam surface adapted to engage said plunger and force it outwardly when the tool and cap are turned relatively to the sleeve from the position in which said shoulder registers with said aperture.

7. In combination with a handle containing a reciprocating hammer, a sleeve attached to the handle, a plunger in said sleeve containing an elongated aperture, means for preventing said plunger from turning relatively to said sleeve, a cap screwed to the outer end of said sleeve and containing a non-circular aperture, av tool having a shank, the outer portion oi which is nonecircular in cross-section and fits the aperture in said cap and the inner portion of which is of less diameter than the outer portion, a shoulder projecting from one side of the inner portion of said shank adapted to pass through the aperture in said plunger when the tool is turned in one IlllBClJlOIl and having a cam surface adapted to engage said plunger and force it out wardly when the tool and cap are turned relatively to the sleeve from the position in which said shoulder registers with said aperture, and releasable locking means adapted to lock the cap to the sleeve when the shoulder uponthe tool shankis out or" alignment with said aperture.

8. In a tool-guide for automatically operated tools, the combination of a sleeve, a

plunger in said sleeve having an elongated aperture, and means for preventing said plunger from turning relatively to said sleeve, comprising a screw having a threaded connection with plunger and a square head lying in the groove in said sleeve, the I of said head with the walls of said groove preventing said screw from unscrewing. V

9. In a tool-guide for automatically operated tools, the combination of a sleeve, a plunger containing an elongated aperture in said sleeve, a cap screwed into the outer end of saidsleeve, anda compression spring cooperating with said plunger v and said sleeve and held in central position within said sleeve by engagement of one of its ends with a groove in said cap.

10. A tool for use in a device of the class described, comprising a cutting or hammering portion, and a shank, the outer portion of which is non circular in cross-section and the inner portion of which is of less diameter than the outer portion and is provided with oppositely disposed shoulders,

each of said shoulders having an inclined cam surface on one of its outer edges;

11. Thevcom-bination of a tool having a shank, the outer portion of which is noncircular in cross-section and the inner porsaid second disc with respect to said first disc.

12. In combination with a handle containing a reciprocatory hammer, a tool having a shank, the outer portion of WhlCll 1s non- ,oircular in cross-section and the inner portion of WhlCll 1s ofless diameter than the outer portion and is provided with a shoulder, and a tool retainer comprlsing a sleeve attached to the handle and surrounding the shank of the tool, a plunger in said sleeve having an, aperture through which said shoulder may pass when turned in one position relatively thereto, means for preventing the rotation of said plunger relatively to said sleeve, a disc rotatably mounted on said sleeve and containing an aperture fit ting the nonc1rcular portlon of the'shank of the tool wherebyrotation of the tool and disc relatively to the sleeve brings said shoulder upon the tool shank into and out of alignment with the aperture in said plunger, and releasable locking means arranged to lock the disc to the sleeve in a position in which said shoulder is out of alignment with said aperture. k

v13. In combination with a handle containing a reciprocatory hammer, a sleeve attached to said handle, a plunger in said sleeve, means for preventing said plunger from turning relatively to said sleeve, a tool having a shank adapted to extend into said sleeve, cooperating engaging means upon said plunger and said shank to retain said shank within the sleeve and to permit said shank to be Withdrawn when turned in one direction relatively to the sleeve, and

releasable engaging means separate from said plunger for preventing said shank from turnin relatively to the sleeve.

14.. 'n combination with a handle containmg a reciprocatory hammer, a sleeve attached to saidhandle, a plunger in said sleeve, means for preventingsaid plunger from turning relatively to said sleeve, resilient means tending to urge said plunger towards said handle, a tool having a shank adapted to extend into said sleeve, cooperating engaging means upon said plunger and said shank to retain saidshank within the sleeve and to permit said shank to be Withdrawn when turned in one di 'reetion relatively to the sleeve, and releasable engaging means separate from said plunger for preventing said shank from turning relatively to the sleeve.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set I i a my hand in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses. p

JOHN S. DONALDSON. Witnesses: a i a.

MAisin MAURUs, LILLIAN R. Fox. 

